This plant originates from North America, more particularly South Carolina, Florida, and southern California. It is a palm which grows to about three meters (9 ft), with large fanned-out leaves. The flowers are pale, and the fruit a deep reddish-brown.
The Native Americans have a long history of usage of this and related species for medicinal purposes, while the Mayas used Sabal Japa extensively. The inner bark was made into a decoction and then used to treat dysentery, abdominal pains,and snake and insect bites. In addition, a poultice of the bark was used topically for ulcers. The Houma Indians apparently drank the decoction for kidney problems, while the dried root was used for high blood pressure.
As the early settlers discovered, saw palmetto is a tonic which builds and restores body tissue. The sterols have an anabolic action, which helps to build and maintain weight, so can usefully be given to those who are convalescing or have lost weight through illness or debility. In the reproductive system it has useful applications for both men and women. In men it is given to enhance the sex drive and to treat impotence and infertility. In women it is thought to have an estrogenic action and can be used where this is a cause of disorder in the reproductive system. As a urinary tract tonic it is used where there is weakness in the neck of the bladder, and also as a diuretic to improve urinary flow. Saw palmetto has been shown to be effective in treating enlargement of prostate in men.
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